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Club fails in bid for extra-large room

Councillors at the March 1 meeting unanimously agreed to increase the size of the room from 100sq m to 150sq m, adding $74,000 to the project cost.

Yanchep Red Hawks Football Club had requested a 200sq m room, but the council report said the WA Football Commission minimum standard was 100sq m.

During public question time before councillors made the decision, Phil Smeeton asked for more time for the football clubs to present a business case based on their needs and those of other sporting groups.

“In 2014 the Yanchep Red Hawks Football Club were very pro-active in seeking council’s assistance in building a long overdue function room at Oldham oval,” he said.

At the time, the council agreed to build a 100sqm multi-purpose room, which has recently been finished.

“We have already outgrown that space,” Mr Smeeton said, adding they needed a bigger function room at the district playing fields. As a minimum to meet our current needs we need at least 200sq m.”

Mr Smeeton said the senior club had about 150 members, including 58 players, while Yanchep Red Hawks Junior Football Club had more than 300 children playing the sport.

According to the council report, including a 200sq m room would have increased the project cost by $252,000 and delayed it further.

“This project is currently behind schedule by two to three months due to a variety of factors,” it said. “The director of assets is currently reviewing the project timelines.”

Councillor Linda Aitken, who moved the motion to approve the changes, said delays could also jeopardise a State Government grant of $1.75 million for the playing fields.

The overall project, which will feature two full-size ovalsserviced by a sports amenities building, is expected to cost about $10.6 million.